John Riley (English Traditional Ballad)

by Priscilla Hernandez

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Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Radoro Daro Sławo: A Slavic Mantra, John Riley (English Traditional Ballad), A Tapestry of Spring, Everflowing Clarity, A Gentle Calling, The Itsy Bitsy Spider (Creepy Version), Om Vrish Elle, Jūrā gāju naudas gūti (Latvian Folk song), and 36 more. , and , .

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about

This is my own version of "John Riley" is a traditional English folk ballad (Roud #264, Laws N42) also known as "The Broken Token" There are registers of the song since the XVII century though various modifications in lyrics and melody over time. and interpretations over time. It has been recorded and performed by numerous folk musicians, being one of the most popular versions Joan Baez in 1960. The theme of "disguised" true lover who puts her betrothed to the test, which she passes. Though he has been missing for a long time she remains true to his memory and finally he is revealed as her true love and the couple is reunited. I always found this one very romantic and this theme is recurrent in many other folk songs.

lyrics

Fair young maid all in her garden
Strange young man passed her by
saying fair young maid
will you marry me?
Oh no kind sir, was her reply

Oh no kind sir, I cannot marry thee
For I have a love who sails all on the sea
though he's been lost for seven years
Still no man shall marry me

What if he's some battle slain
Oh I will die when the moon doth wane
And if he's drowned in the deep salt see
Oh I'll be true to his memory

So he took the lady in his arms
gave her a kiss, then two and three
saying weep no more, my own true love
I'm your long lost John Riley
saying weep no more, my own true love
I'm your long lost John Riley

credits

released July 21, 2023
English Traditional
All arrangements, instruments and vocals in this version by Priscilla Hernandez (yidneth.com)

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about

Priscilla Hernandez Navarre, Spain

Ethereal gothic singer-songwriter and fantasy illustrator from Spain.
DISCOGRAPHY: Ancient Shadows (2006)
The Underliving (2011)
Official site: yidneth.com
Support at
patreon.com/yidneth

@yidneth on ig, twitter, youtube and facebook ... more

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